If there’s anyone in the Lakers that hasn’t been getting as much burn under Laker head coach Mike D’Antoni, it’s Jordan Hill. D’Antoni has favored Antawn Jamison over Hill due to Jamison’s ability to spread the floor with his shooting.
Hill has played 45 total minutes in the last six Laker games. He even got a DNP against Orlando, when they lost at home in stunning fashion. This isn’t the first time Hill has had trouble getting playing time under D’Antoni; he’s had this problem when they were both in New York.
Hill expressed his frustrations to HoopsWorld.
Hill on the other hand played just 10 minutes a game during his 24-game stint in New York with D’Antoni and had seen his minutes decrease since D’Antoni took over for Mike Brown. “It’s frustrating, but things get better,” Hill said before the game. By the end of it, they had for him individually.
Hill posted up nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks in 14 minutes off the bench. With a solid understanding of what his new coach wants from him, he’s hoping to regain his spot in the rotation for good.
“In this system they want me to space the floor more,” Hill said. “I’m just like the guy that stays at the block and offensive rebound. I just try to focus mainly on that, but I just got to change it up a little bit and do what I have to do.”
With Pau Gasol out indefinitely due to knee problems, Hill will be getting some playing time as Dwight Howard’s main back-up at the center position. As Hill mentioned, his strength is staying on the block and getting the offensive rebound. As an energy guy, I would think D’Antoni would use him to help fire up the rest of his teammates as the Lakers have looked listless at times.
The Lakers look to get back to their winning ways when they face the New Orleans Hornets later on tonight.
